Cord-holding structure



Dec. 11, 1928.

O. H. PIEPER CORD HOLDING STRUCTURE Filed April 2, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet ll Dec. 1l, 1928. 1,694,669

v O. H. PIEPER CORD HOLDING STRUCTURE Filed April 2, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet .2

Patented Dec. 11, 1928.

UITED STATES OSCAR I-I. PIEPER, 0F ROCHESTER, NEW YORK,

CORD-HOLDING STRUCTURE.

Application led April 2, 1926.

rlhis invention relates to an improved cord holdingstructure particularly useful in connection with dental units for receiving the corn oi an extended instrument for relieving the extended end of the cord from the pull olf the weight positioned within the unit body and tending to pull in the cord and hold it inside of the body when the instrument is in its position of rest on the unit. The structure is in the form of a resilient or spring actuated clip readily applicable on the top of the unit in front oi' the instrument support so that when an instrument is removed from its support and its cord extended, a slight downward and lateral pull ot the cord will readily slip the cord under the clip so that the clip will take up the pull ot the cord weight and will leave the part of the cord beyond the clip free so that the instrument may be readily manipulated and used. Any number of clips may be used but it has been found that a clip structure comprising a right clip and a lett clip Will serve eiliciently Jor receiving any of the cords of tlie'unit,

The invention will be clearly understooc. by reference to the drawings, in which,

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of the upper part of a unit showing a number of instruments supported thereon and my iinproved cord holding structure;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the unit' Fig. 3 is an enlarged plan view or the clip structure Fig. l is a sectional view on plane 1-l, Fig# ure 3;

Fig. 5 is a plan view of a modified form of clip structure; and

Fig. 6 is a side elevational view of such modilied structure.

l have shown the upper part of the unit body or pedestal 10 which has the top or table part- 11 from the rear of which rises the ol"- set extension 12.v Secured to the front of ein tension 12 over the table part 11 is the row of brackets 13 for supportingthe various instruments 14 from which extend coi'ds lthrough the openings 16 in the table part 11, each cord within the pedestal part 10 being engaged by a weighted pulley 17 and secured at one end to a support 18 so that connection can bemade with the ends of electrical conductors or air supply conductors, the arrangement being substantially like that shown in Patent No. 1,376,356, of April 26, 1921, so far as the cords and weights are concerned. These pulley Serial No. 99,227.

weights tend to hold the cords taut when the instruments are supported on the bracliets, and to restore the cord to such taut position when a tool is replaced on its bracket after an extension of its cord during service ot the tool.

lhen an instrument is removed from its supporting` braclret to be utilized, it is very important that the weight of the pulleybe released from the cord so that the instrument will be ireo from any pull or drag by the cord. My improved clip structure is designed for this purpose. As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the cord holding struct-ure comprises a right clip C and a left clip C', these clips being supported on a base or plate 19 mounted cent-rally on the table part 1 1 in iront oiE the cord passageways with the clips extending respectively to the right and left. rl`lie clips are stamped integral from sheet meta-l and each comprises the slightly upwardly convcX body part 2O whose outer end 21 is gradu ally deflected upwardly and whose rear end 22 is deiected downwardly. Jalong the sides oic the body part and end 21 the lianges 28 give rigidity and strength to the clips, and at the sides of the normally deliected inner end 22 are the ears 24 for receiving the pivot pin 25, the plate 19 having the pockets 26 and 26 into which the inner ends oit the respect-ive clips extend, the pins extending through and being supported in the side walls 27 adiacentto the pockets. l/Vithin each pocket a helical spring 28 encircles the pin, the outer end 29 of the spring hooking under' the inner edge of the clip and the outer end 30 of the springl extending into a notch 31 cut in the plate 19, The springs tend to hold the clips with their outer ends against the plate 19, the outer edges of the plate, as indicated at 19 being beveled below the upwardly inclined end ot the clip to forni a iiaring entrance for a cord to its position between the clip and the plate.

On Figures 1 and 2 l have shown the central instrument la removed from the unit ttor use. The ope lator first withdraws the instrument from its supporting clip and then pulls the cord out horizontally along the table part 11 and alongside of the flared entrance ot one of the clips as illustrated by the dotted line 15 in Figure 2. Then a lat-eral swing will force the cord against the detlected end 21 of the clip and the clip will be raised and the cord will be brought between the oli 3 body and the plate 19 as shown by the ful line.

The spring 25 will cause the clip to exe-rt suiiicient pressure against the cord to hold it against the Weight oi its pulley 17 so that the cord beyond the clip Will be entirely free from any restraint or drag and the instrunient can be readily and eiiieiently manipulated by the operator. Then the operator is finished a lateral swing of the cord Will Withdraw it from the clip and then the pulley Weight Will become effective to restore the cord as the instrument is replaced on its supporting b acket Either clip can be used by the operator. separate clip could olf course be provided :tor each cord but l have -found that two clips arranged as shown will be ample for the efficient clamping of any of the cords.

ln Figures 5 and 6 a modified form of clip structure is shown. Here the clip ends and 32" are parts oi an integral sheet metal stamping, the metal lia-ving suiicient spring action so that the clip ends will exert the necessary clamping action against a` cord slipped tuereunder. The clip ends may be strengthened by peripheral flanges and the clip structure may be secured by screvvs 3st together with a plate B5 to the table part ll of the unit.

By means of the simple clip arrangement the operator when extending an instrument i'or use can by slight and simple movement of the cord readily engage the cord under a clip and will then give tree and unhamperer use of' the instrument. fr simple slight movement oi the cord Will release it from the clip to permit the cord to be restored to normal positi as the instrument is being replaced on its support.

l do not desire to be limited to the exact construction or arrangement of cord holding tructures as diilerent forms and arrangenents are possible Without departing from he scope oi? my im'ention. l claim the 'toll. ln a dental unit, the combination ot a supporting body, instruments supported thereon, cords extending trom said instruments to the interior of the body, means exerting tension on said cords tending to prevent withdrawal of said cords from said body, and a cli) placed on said body and under Which any one or said cords may be slipped when in use to be held against the torce ot its tension means to 'thereby relieve its instrument from the tension.

in a dental unit, the combination of a supper-ting body, a plurality of dental instruments supported on said body, povver supply cords extending from said instruments to the interior ot' said body, tension means Within said body tending to resist Withdrawal of said cords from said body, and cord holding structure on said body comprising a plurality of spring clips under any one of Which a Withdrawn cord may be slipped when in use to be held against retraction into said body by the tension means to thereby relieve its instrument from the tension.

3, ln a. dental unit, the combination of a supporting body, a plurality of instruments supported on said body, cords for said instruments extending to the interior of the body, tension means tending to hold said cords vithin said body and resist Withdrawal therefrom, and a cord holding structure mounted on top ol' said body in front ot said cords and comprising spring actuated clips under Which any one ot' said cords may be slipped When Withdrawn from the body to be thereby locked in its outer position and the pull of the tension device relieved from the instrument.

1t. ln a dental unit, the combination of a body having a table part, dental instruments supported on said body over said table part, said table part having openings below said instruments, cords extending from said instruments through said openings and into the interior of said body, tension devices Within said body acting on said cords to resist withdrawal thereof from said body when an instrument is to be used, and a spring clip on top oi"- s id table part in front of the cord openings into which clip any Withdrawn cord may be laterally shifted to be clamped against retraction by its tension device and to Withhold the tension from the cord instrument.

5. In a dental unit, the combination of a body having a table part, a row of instruments detaohably supported on said body over said table part, said table part having openings below said instruments, cords extending trem said instruments through said openings into the body part, tension devices 'ithin said body acting on said cords to resist Withdrawal thereof out of said openings when an instrument is to be used, and tivo clips located centrally on top of said table part in 'front of said cord openings and extending laterally in opposite directions, each serving to receive the Withdrawn cords When shifted laterally along said table part to clamp and lock said cords against retraction by the tension devices and to relieve the respective instruments from the cord tension.

ln Witness whereof, I'hereunto subscribe my name this 29th day of March, 1926.

OSCAR H. PIEPER. 

